Wednesday of the 11th week year C. Matthew 6:1-6, 16-8

Wednesday of the 11th week year C. Matthew 6:1-6, 16-8

Our Motivations matter

External acts of piety are good within our Christian community, but they are better if we do them with sincerity, not to impress others. God sees through our hearts, and he rewards each of us according to our hearts. Vincent Pallotti reminds us that the motive of our actions should always be the glory of God, the salvation of souls, and our own sanctification. Christian life is neither a performance nor an entertainment, but sanctification. Our prayer, our fasting, and our almsgiving should always be for God's glory and our sanctification. 

Fr. Georges sac

Jesus I trust in you!

Tuesday if 11th week in ordinary Time C. Mt. 5: 33-38

Tuesday if 11th week in ordinary Time C. Mt. 5: 33-38

Love your enemy

Christian's love is called to be perfect just because God's nature is love (1 John 4:18). If for the Jewish, the neighbor is the fellow Jew whom they should love (Leviticus 19:18), for Jesus, the love of neighbor should be extended to the neighborhood. That's why we are "the salt of the earth"(Mt 5: 13). True love extends kindness and forgiveness to people who actively oppose and harm us or our family. This is a difficult task that can only be possible through divine grace and prayer. Love and forgiveness bring us closer to our divine nature. The love of the enemy makes us perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect. Mother Theresa believes that, such a love is possible when we begin to see even the unloved as children of God.

Jesus, I trust in you
Fr. Georges sac.

Monday of the 11th week in Ordinary Time, Year C. 1 Kings 21:1-16; Ps. 98; Matthew 5:38-42.

Monday of the 11th week in Ordinary Time, Year C. 1Kings 21:1-16; Ps 98; Matthew 5:38-42.

Love transforms us

Jesus teaches us about turning the other cheek, non-violence, non-retaliation and generosity, even towards those who are evil. St. John Chrysostom understands this as an opportunity to demonstrate love, forgiveness, and a desire for reconciliation.  This does not mean to ignore injustices or the pains caused to us, but to respond with a transformative love. Love and mercy always win. By choosing love, we choose to break the circle of violence and hatred. In the first reading from 1 Kings 21, King Ahab's desire for Naboth's vineyard and the subsequent evil actions of his wife, led to Naboth's death. We are warned against greed as it leads to violence, lies, division and crime. Let’s choose to live in the power of love that transforms us!

Jesus, I trust in you

Fr. Georges sac

Saturday of the 10th week in ordinary Time C. Matthew 5:33-37

Saturday of the 10th week in ordinary Time C. Matthew 5:33-37

Jesus reminds me of the sacrament or the power of our words. Christians are meant to be men and women of integrity. Live aligned with God. Let your "Yes" be "Yes" and your "No" be "No." There should be no dichotomy between what we say and what we do. A life of truth testifies to our faithfulness to God, our Creator. Our words and actions should be the reflection of our Christian values. Let's be true to ourselves and to others.
Jesus, I trust in you
Fr. Georges sac

Memorial of St Anthony of Padua. 2 Corinthians 4:7-15; Mt. 5:27-32

Treasure in earthen vessels

Brothers and sisters, St. Paul describes the privilege of being Christ's messengers. Though we are earthen vessels, we hold the treasure that the surpass every human power. All credit and honor belong to God, not to us. Christians are under God's guidance and protection. We are afflicted in every way but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the Body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body. As Christians, we already experience death and resurrection in our daily lives. Our power is not from us but from Christ.

St. Anthony of Padua, pray for us!
Fr. Georges sac

10th week in Ordinary Time , 2 Cor 3. Mt. 5:20-26

10th week in Ordinary Time , 2 Cor 3. Mt. 5:20-26

Today's liturgy focuses on God's mercy, compassion, and the importance of living a life worthy of His grace. Christ has unveiled his glory to us. We are encouraged to repent and to begin a new life of unwavering faith in God's righteousness and forgiveness towards others.
I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Jesus invites us to transform our hearts and to live a holy life.
The goal of our life is indeed the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus, I trust in you
Fr. Georges sac

Tuesday of 10th week in ordinary Time C. Mt. 5;13-16

Tuesday of 10th week in ordinary Time C. Mt. 5;13-16

Salt and Light

Jesus, in today's Gospel, likens his disciples to salt and light. "You are the salt of the earth... you are the light of the world. The salt, in ancient times, salt was essential for flavoring food, preserving it, and was also a disinfectant. Christians are that "salt," that is, those agents of positive change, who bring the flavor of Christ's love, preserve it in a world that can often feel stale or decaying.
By shining in the world by their words and deeds, Christians become that light that dispels the darkness of the world. So we are the light of the world.

Fr. Georges sac
Jesus I trust in you!

Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. John 19:25-34

Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
John 19:25-34

Woman, behold, your son

By entrusting John to Mary, and Mary to John, Jesus was designating Mary as the spiritual mother of all Christians. Although, literally Jesus wanted John, the beloved disciple to take care of Mary, ensuring her well-being after his death, Jesus was referring more of Mary as the Mother of the new family, the Church. Mary's new role as the mother of the Church would be her constant intercession for all believers. As Jesus was a gift of God to us through Mary, Jesus wanted Mary to be his gift to us through John the beloved disciple.

Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us

Fr. Georges sac

Saturday of the 7th week of Easter. C. John 21:20-25

Lord what about him

Peter is concerned about what will happen to the beloved disciple. But Jesus is very with Peter. Each one has his own mission. We should avoid jealousy, competition, and comparison in the church. Every calling is unique and important. What matters is our faithfulness to Christ. Jesus should always be our purpose and our destination.
Come Holy Spirit!

Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac

Friday of the 7th week of Easter. C. John 21:15-19

Friday of the 7th week of Easter. C. John 21:15-19

Follow Me

This is the meaning of discipleship. Jesus invites every human being to Follow Him in order to be conformed to Him. At all times, the Apostle Peter, serves as an example. Peter’s interior transformation was a conversion of heart that resulted in his recommitment to follow Christ, even after Jesus foretold his martyrdom. Peter’s experience was “one of those sorrowful outpourings that impoverish us but are ultimately profitable because they show us our powerlessness and oblige us from then on to trust exclusively in God’s mercy and faithfulness” (Jacques Philippe, Interior Freedom, 100).

Jesus, I trust in you

Thursday of the 7th week of Easter. C. John 17:20-26

Thursday of the 7th week of Easter. C. John 17:20-26

Prayer as a sign of communion.

When we pray, do we think of others first? Jesus spent time praying for his disciples. Praying for others is the highest sign of love and respect. No wonder Mother Theresa viewed prayer for others as a powerful tool for spreading love and bringing peace into the world. I strongly believe that if we pray for others and act well towards them, the face of the earth will be renewed.
Praying for others heals our divisions and breaks the walls that separate us.
Come Holy Spirit!

Jesus, I trust in you
Fr. Georges sac

Wednesday of the 7th week of Easter. C. John 17:11b-19.

Wednesday of the 7th week of Easter. C. John 17:11b-19.

Consecration in the truth

We continue with the priestly prayer of Jesus. Our High Priest, Jesus throughout this Chapter 17 of John's Gospel, prays for unity. Besides unity, Jesus, in today excerpt, prays for the protection, the joy, the sanctification and the consecration of the disciples in the truth. With Jesus, the entire humanity has come to the fullness of the knowledge of God. "Father, consecrate them in the truth," he prayed. According to St. Augustine, this consecration in the truth is a call to holiness and a life lived for God's glory.

Jesus, I trust in you

Fr. Georges sac

Monday of the 7th week of Easter. John 16:33.

Monday of the 7th week of Easter. John 16:33.

"I have conquered the world"

Jesus tells us this morning: "I have conquered the world." As we will go through suffering and persecution, Jesus is inviting us to take courage. By his death and resurrection, Jesus overcame the power of the world, especially sin, death, and Satan. No matter what happens on our journey, if we trust in the Lord, our victory in Christ is already secured.

Come Holy of courage.
Jesus, I trust in you

Fr. Georges sac

May 31 – Feast of the Visitation. Luke 1:39-56

May 31 – Feast of the Visitation.

Luke 1:39-56

Mary, our model of service and humility

Without hesitation, Mary set out on a journey to visit her cousin, Elizabeth. She stayed with her to serve her and shared the good news with her. The presence of Mary brought joy and new refreshing air to Elizabeth. By setting on her journey as a young pregnant young girl, Mary took a serious risk. Yet, she becomes a beacon of hope, humility, service, and courage for generations of men and women who face challenges in their daily service to the Lord. We are reminded on this feast that those who do not live to serve others do not serve to live. By reaching out to others  in the way of Mary, the world would be a very different place. Such a world will be filled with gratitude and joy, love and peace. Let every living soul sing, "Magnificat anima mea dominum"

Jesus, I trust in you 

Fr. Georges sac

Friday of the 6th Week of Easter C. Acts 18:9-18; Jn 16:20-23.

Friday of the 6th Week of Easter C. Acts 18:9-18; Jn 16:20-23.

"You will grieve, but your grief will become joy."says Jesus. The change from grief to joy is a central theme in the Bible. In Psalm 126:6, "those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them." God will restore the children of Israel from slavery and exiles.

The disciples of Jesus, too, will experience grief over his upcoming death and separation. But, after his resurrection, there will be joy.  The victory of Christ over death and sin offers new hope and new life that bring unwavering joy to believers. Everyday believers go through the daily experience from death to life, from sadness and grief to joy, from trouble in heart to peace!

Jesus, I trust in you 

Fr. Georges sac

JOURNEY TO PENTECOST: DAY 26

JOURNEY TO PENTECOST: DAY 26

Verse of the Day: 1 Corinthians 2:14

“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned."

Pray for the spirit of discernment

Holy Spirit fill the hearts of the faithful and renew the face of the earth. Amen.

Wednesday of the 6th Week of Easter. John 16:12-15

Wednesday of the 6th Week of Easter. John 16:12-15

Mission of the Holy Spirit

In this passage of John's Gospel, Jesus speaks of the role of the Holy Spirit after his departure. The Holy Spirit will reveal and make known to believers the truths and teachings that Jesus has received from the Father. He will take what belongs to Jesus and "declare it to believers. In the physical absence of Jesus, the Holy Spirit will continue his great job of teaching and revealing God's truth. The Holy Spirit's mission is to make known the truth to us.

Jesus, I trust in you

Fr. Georges sac

JOURNEY TO PENTECOST: DAY 25

JOURNEY TO PENTECOST: DAY 25

Verse of the Day: Isaiah 11:2

“And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.."

Lord let your spirit rest upon me

Holy Spirit fill the hearts of the faithful and renew the face of the earth. Amen.

Tuesday of the 6th Week of Easter. Acts 16:22-34. John 16:5-11

Tuesday of the 6th Week of Easter. 

Acts 16:22-34. John 16:5-11

Nothing can stop God

Paul and Silas's time in prison is a lovely teaching of faith, comfort, strength, and joy for us as Christians. In  challenging circumstances, we should rely on the power of prayer, God's word, and worship.  Paul and Silas, even though they were behind bars and chains, did not stop praying and worshipping God. The conversion of the jailer and his subsequent actions of washing their wounds and providing a meal illustrate the fact that God has the power to change hearts and lives. God's power is unstoppable.

Jesus, I trust in you

Fr. Georges sac

JOURNEY TO PENTECOST: DAY 24

JOURNEY TO PENTECOST: DAY 24

Verse of the Day: Romans 5:5

“And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.."

Holy Spirit fill the hearts of the faithful and renew the face of the earth. Amen.